March 17, 1936 – January 1, 2023
Alfred Lawrence Barker, 86, of Columbus, Ga., passed away January 1, 2023, at St. Francis Hospital. A private service will be held.
Larry was born in Danville, Virginia to the late Allie C. Barker and Gurtha Elizabeth Strickland Barker. He was raised in Semora, North Carolina. Larry completed two years at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, before entering the United States Army for two years of service. He then began working for Woolworth’s, which took him to Selma, Alabama where he met his wife, Mary Burke Moreland. They married in 1968. Larry would work for a variety of discount retailers over the following decades.
Larry and Mary Burke moved to Columbus in 1970 and soon settled downtown in the Columbus Historic District. They were active members of the Historic District Preservation Society for many years from its inception in the 1970s. They were also avid antique collectors and loved showcasing their historic 1830s home on many holiday and homes tours.
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Burke, sister Etta Dew Barker Miller, and niece Sherri Wright. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Walden (John), his brother Van Barker (Phyllis), nephews Nathan Barker (Leslie), Vaughn Miller, and Shannon Barker (Landon), and several great nieces and nephews.
The family is grateful to St. Francis, the Landings of Columbus, and Ridgecrest Rehab and Skilled Nursing. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Historic Columbus (P.O. Box 5312 Columbus, GA 31906).
